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Conference

NCCoE Cybersecurity Connections Event: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Register Now!

Event Date: October 15, 2026

Event Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT

The NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) is proud to host a series of Cybersecurity Connections events in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce and Montgomery County, MD. Join us on October 15 for a special event to celebrate National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – a dedicated time for organizations to unite and bring awareness to the critical importance of cybersecurity. 

After opening remarks from the Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, this event will feature a panel discussion with technology leaders exploring the future of cybersecurity, from the rise of emerging technologies to the complexities of real-world implementation including legacy systems, talent gaps, and evolving standards. In addition to this panel discussion, NCCoE project teams will share insights and best practices regarding ransomware risk management and effective strategies for cyber attack response and recovery.

This portion of the event will be followed by a networking lunch, generously provided by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation on behalf of Montgomery County.

Register now to attend in-person or virtually! We look forward to connecting with you to foster collaboration and innovation in the cybersecurity community. 

*Registration for this event closes on October 8, 2026.

Recording Note: Portions of the event may be recorded and audience Q&A or comments may be captured. The recorded event may be edited and rebroadcast or otherwise made publicly available by NIST. By registering for — or attending — this event, you acknowledge and consent to being recorded. 

Code of Conduct for NIST Conferences 

Agenda

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Arrival/Event Check-in

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Speakers:

  • Cherilyn Pascoe, Director, NCCoE (NIST)
  • Judy Costello, Director, Economic Development Special Projects Office of the County Executive, Montgomery County, Maryland
  • Kimberly Mentzell, Director of Cybersecurity and Lead for Emerging Technologies, Department of Commerce, State of Maryland

11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – Panel Discussion: 2026 Cyber Trends and Challenges

Moderator: Jon Davis, Strategic Engagement and Communications Lead, NCCoE (MITRE)

Panelists:

  • Jayati Dev, Public Policy Researcher, Cybersecurity, Comcast
  • Chris Jensen, Director of Public Sector Business Development, Tenable
  • Stephanie Kiel, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Cloud Security, Google 
  • Julie Klein, Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks

12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Ransomware Risk Management: Protecting Your Organization from Ransomware Attacks

Speaker: Bill Fisher, Security Engineer, NCCoE (NIST)

12:30 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. – Response and Recovery: Tips to Resume Operations Quickly Following a Cyber Attack

Speaker: Toby Maysey, Cybersecurity Engineer, NCCoE (MITRE)

12:40 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Networking Lunch, provided by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) on behalf of Montgomery County, Maryland

Speaker: Danny Chavez, Vice President of Business Development, MCEDC

1:30 p.m. - Adjourn